Ankeny Fanatic

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Baseball

Ankeny’s Brecht, Bauer, Fulk earn preseason all-American honors

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A trio of Ankeny baseball standouts has received preseason all-American honors from Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. and Perfect Game. Senior pitchers Brody Brecht and Weston Fulk both earned honorable mention all-American honors along with senior shortstop Jase Bauer. The three stars led the Hawks to a 21-9 record and a second-place finish in the … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Brecht, Bauer, Fulk earn preseason all-American honors

Ankeny’s Johnson to play baseball at Marshalltown Community College

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Ankeny pitcher Will Johnson has verbally committed to play baseball at Marshalltown Community College. Johnson said he liked the enthusiasm of the Marshalltown coaching staff. "I looked at a few schools, but I never really had my mind set on any school because I did not know the coaches or the program itself," he said. "One reason I like MCC is because … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Johnson to play baseball at Marshalltown Community College

Ankeny outfielder Boyd commits to play baseball at Iowa Central

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Ankeny senior Cael Boyd has been a standout in three sports throughout his high school career. Despite his success on the football field and on the track, Boyd always knew that he wanted to play baseball at the next level. "I feel like baseball has always been my passion," said Boyd, who elected to give up football this fall due to a history of … [Read more...] about Ankeny outfielder Boyd commits to play baseball at Iowa Central

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Dylan Schlee, Ankeny baseball

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Sophomore pitcher Dylan Schlee helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 21-9 record and a second-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. Schlee compiled a 3-1 record with a 2.90 ERA in a team-high 10 appearances for the Hawks. He walked just three batters while recording 21 strikeouts in 29 innings of work. Schlee recorded the final two outs to earn … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Dylan Schlee, Ankeny baseball

DYNAMIC DUO: Bauer, Brecht named to IHSBCA’s Class 4A all-state first team

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Ankeny's Jase Bauer and Brody Brecht are getting ready for their senior seasons on the football field. The two players, however, are still receiving some postseason baseball honors. Both Bauer and Brecht have been named to the Class 4A all-state first team by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association. Teammate Mo Watson was selected to the … [Read more...] about DYNAMIC DUO: Bauer, Brecht named to IHSBCA’s Class 4A all-state first team

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kade Somers, Ankeny baseball

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Junior outfielder and first baseman Kade Somers helped the Ankeny baseball team to a 21-9 record and a second-place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. He went 2-for-4 in the Hawks' 11-8 loss to top-ranked Johnston in the championship game on Saturday at Principal Park. Somers batted .343 this season with two doubles, one triple and 16 RBIs. He was a … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Kade Somers, Ankeny baseball

‘We just didn’t execute’: Hawks let lead slip away in 4A championship game

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Weston Fulk couldn't help but think about the state title that slipped away. But he was also focusing on winning a championship in 2021. "We know where we could have been," Fulk said after his Ankeny baseball team lost to Johnston, 11-8, in the Class 4A final on Saturday at Principal Park. "We deserved to be in this game--everybody knows it. But I'm … [Read more...] about ‘We just didn’t execute’: Hawks let lead slip away in 4A championship game

Hawks settle for runner-up trophy after Johnston rallies for 11-8 victory

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The Ankeny baseball team was in a position to win the Class 4A state title on Saturday night at Principal Park. The Hawks just couldn't close the deal. Top-ranked Johnston overcame a 7-3 deficit with three runs in the fifth inning and five more in the sixth to rally for an 11-8 victory over No. 2 Ankeny. The Dragons (24-3) won their fifth state … [Read more...] about Hawks settle for runner-up trophy after Johnston rallies for 11-8 victory

Hawks outlast Dubuque Hempstead, will play Johnston for Class 4A crown

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Just a few months after the Ankeny boys' basketball team won the Class 4A state title, the school's baseball squad will have a chance to win a championship of its own. Second-ranked Ankeny advanced to the Class 4A title game with a wild 9-8 victory over No. 4 Dubuque Hempstead in the semifinals on Friday at Principal Park. Ryan Madole scored from third … [Read more...] about Hawks outlast Dubuque Hempstead, will play Johnston for Class 4A crown

Hawks walk off on wild pitch, advance to Class 4A championship game

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The Ankeny baseball team advanced to the Class 4A championship game in dramatic, walk-off fashion. Ryan Madole scored from third base on a wild pitch with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the second-ranked Hawks a wild 9-8 victory over No. 4 Dubuque Hempstead in the semifinals on Friday at Principal Park. Ankeny (21-8) will play No. … [Read more...] about Hawks walk off on wild pitch, advance to Class 4A championship game

STICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK TO THE PLAN: Brecht fans 16 as Hawks advance

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Ankeny baseball coach Joe Balvanz was tempted to pull his starting pitcher after the Hawks jumped out to a 4-0 lead against Pleasant Valley in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament on Wednesday night. Brody Brecht was even campaigning to come out of the game, because such a move would have allowed him to potentially return to the mound in … [Read more...] about STICKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK TO THE PLAN: Brecht fans 16 as Hawks advance

‘We’re hitting our stride’: Hawks’ bid for 3rd state title begins with Pleasant Valley

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Weston Fulk knew that this year's Ankeny baseball team had a chance to be special. The second-ranked Hawks are now just three wins away from completing a magical journey. Ankeny is making its second straight appearance in the Class 4A state tournament. The Hawks (19-8) will meet Pleasant Valley (13-11) in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at Principal … [Read more...] about ‘We’re hitting our stride’: Hawks’ bid for 3rd state title begins with Pleasant Valley

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Smith, Ankeny baseball

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Junior second baseman Carter Smith has helped the second-ranked Ankeny baseball team to a 19-8 record. He went 1-for-3 and scored a run as the Hawks posted a 5-0 victory over visiting Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. Smith is batting .302 with two doubles, one triple and 15 RBIs. He ranks second on the team with 25 runs … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Carter Smith, Ankeny baseball

Hawks soar back to Principal Park, will face Pleasant Valley in 4A quarterfinals

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Mo Watson isn't taking this abbreviated baseball season for granted. The senior catcher hit an RBI single to ignite second-ranked Ankeny to a 5-0 victory over visiting Council Bluffs Lincoln in a Class 4A substate final on Wednesday. The Hawks (19-8) advanced to next week's state tournament for the second straight year. "It feels awesome," said Watson. … [Read more...] about Hawks soar back to Principal Park, will face Pleasant Valley in 4A quarterfinals

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lucas Juhl, Ankeny baseball

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Senior third baseman Lucas Juhl is a member of the second-ranked Ankeny baseball team. He has helped the Hawks to an 18-8 record. Juhl has played in 23 of the 26 games with 15 starts. He will play for Simpson College next year. "Lucas always has a team-focused approach," said Ankeny coach Joe Balvanz. "He knows that his role as a defensive specialist … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Lucas Juhl, Ankeny baseball